Sieglinde

This name derives from Old High German “Sieglinde,” composed of two elements: “*seʒiz / sigis” (victory) and “linþia” (weak, soft, tender, mild / lime-tree, linden tree / protective shield of linden wood), meaning “the shield, the protection which defends our victory.” Sieglinde Wagner was an Austrian operatic contralto, who could also sing mezzo-soprano roles. In 1947, she made her debut at the Vienna State Opera. Two years later, she was hired by Wilhelm Furtwängler to sing in The Magic Flute at the Salzburg Festival. After this successful collaboration, Furtwängler signed her to sing Floßhilde and Grimgerde in Richard Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen at La Scala.